Top Tips On How To Avoid Dandruff Effectively

Every day can be a good hair day

A few dandruff flakes can feel like the end of the world. But in reality it’s not even the end of a good hair day, according to our dermatology expert, Dr Ilyse Lefkowic, who knows everything there is to know about dandruff.

She says, “There’s no reason why anyone shouldn’t have healthy looking hair when they have dandruff. As long as you use the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair type, you can style your hair any way you want – without worrying about flakes or your scalp.”

And that’s great news because unless you treat it regularly, dandruff never really goes away. You can blame a pesky fungus called Malassezia Globosa for this. Understand the symptoms and learn how to get rid of dandruff effectively.

How To Avoid Dandruff Occurence:

Thankfully, treatment is easy. Dr Ilyse advises us to treat the scalp in the same way we would our skin. She says, “Most people look after their facial skin very carefully, but don’t realise that their scalp needs to be looked after just as well. In fact, it’s scalp skin that’s responsible for how your hair grows and develops.

And for the simplest scalp care, Dr Ilyse suggest using a shampoo like head & shoulders. It has specialised ingredient blend that cares for your scalp. Plus, it will keep your hair clean and fresh-feeling.

Use a matching shampoo and conditioner

Scientist Dr Sian Morris adds, “Using a shampoo and conditioner that have not been developed to work together is a little like wearing a great new outfit and hiding it under a drab old coat.”

So, make sure your conditioner matches your shampoo. They’re designed to work in harmony, so let them do their job.

But it’s not just the product that’s important, it’s how you use it. We asked celebrity hair stylist Peter Lux for his hairwashing advice, “I think people are often not thorough enough whilst lathering and rinsing. It’s so important for your hair and scalp that your shampoo is really well applied and also well rinsed out. Otherwise hair can quickly look limp and greasy.”

Don’t go to bed with wet hair

According to stylist Peter if you lay a wet head on your pillow, excess moisture will stay in your hair for longer. As you toss and turn when you sleep, you’re likely to get the dreaded frizz, or worse, tangles.

But as a rule damp hair is always a bad idea. Dr Sian adds a cautionary note, “The higher the humidity, the better the living conditions for the fungus that causes dandruff.” So try not to go around with damp hair – just like mum always told you.

Avoid towelling too hard

If you like a vigorous head-rub with a towel after washing your hair, try to tone it down. It’s much better for your hair and scalp if you blot excess moisture away gently. And it probably helps keep hair easy to comb and style later.

Try to include some Zinc containing foods in your diet

You are what you eat so munch away on foods like sesame seeds, roasted pumpkin and, we’re happy to say, dark chocolate. They contain zinc that helps with a number of conditions, including your scalp and hair. You’ll be pleased to know it’s a vital ingredient in all head & shoulders shampoos too.

Take the expert’s advice

Finally it’s nice to know that 91% of dermatologists surveyed say they would recommend head & shoulders – and 67% of them already use it themselves. So if you have a bottle or two on your bathroom shelf, you’re in very good company.